Tag Archives: Top Knotted Buttonhole

This stitch is a variety of buttonhole stitch which has a knot set at the top of each arm.

Instead of working it in a straight line you can vary the length of the arms to create patterns. You can use it as a couching stitch to hold down novelty threads. Since Top Knotted Buttonhole is a variety of buttonhole stitch it works well as decorative edging stitch and holds curves well. When worked in a circle or around a large bead it makes a decorative little flower motif.

How to work Top Knotted Buttonhole Stitch

This stitch is worked from left to right between two lines.

Bring your thread up on the bottom line and loop your thread around the needle as illustrated.

Insert the needle on the top line and nudge the knot down against the fabric. Angle your needle so that you can take a bite of the fabric with the needle point emerging on the bottom line.

With the thread under the needle as you would do in normal buttonhole stitch pull the needle through the fabric downward towards you to make the first stitch.

If you have trouble controlling the knot at this stage place your left thumb and hold your half formed stitch between thumb and forefinger as you pull the thread through.

Continue in this manner along the line.

This sample was worked using perle # 5 cotton however experiment with threads as this stitch looks good worked in thicker threads or even a fine ribbon.

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